Liquor License for Part of Hotel Tied to Parking

The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control notified the developer of the nearly completed Ma Maison Sofitel Hotel on Friday that it will ban liquor in the ballroom and meeting rooms until the Westside hotel provides 117 more parking spaces.

At the same time, the ABC agreed to issue a liquor permit for the rest of the hotel, meaning the prohibition will not apply to guest rooms, bars and the hotel’s two restaurants.

The ruling was immediately hailed as at least a partial victory by several homeowners who had attempted to prevent the hotel from getting permission to serve any liquor because of parking concerns.

An attorney for the hotel, however, interpreted the ABC ruling as a victory for Ma Maison. Ronald J. Silverman said the parking requirement is “not a significant impediment” because the hotel had intended to lease the additional parking spaces anyway. In July, the Los Angeles City Council ordered the hotel to provide the 117 spaces, but it gave the hotel 18 months to find them.

The ABC has agreed to issue the permit Oct. 31, about two weeks after the hotel is scheduled to open. The permit--and the hotel’s opening--could be delayed even longer, however, if the ABC ruling is appealed.